For some reason I have decided to review the Pain of Salvation (PoS) discography in reverse.
In my opinion to review the works of a band such as PoS you must, to some extent, try and refrain from referencing their previous releases. My point here is that as PoS are a band that consistently and intentionally alter their style with each release, it is unfair to say that "X is better than Y" etc. So whilst you can say that you do not like one of their albums, it is my opinion, that another of their releases cannot be used as a benchmark.
With Road Salt One we are introduced to the first part of two of the Road Salt duology/dilogy. This album feels like it is, without detracting from the music and talent, a 'barebones' recording from the band.
The overall sound of this album is that of a 70's blues-y release, the guitars are mellow and the drums are succinct. At times, especially within "Sleeping Under The Stars", the album has a very Eastern-European feel to it.
I would say that I was misled with the "Linoleum" EP. The title track from that release does not particularly, I think, sound like the rest of the album at all. Having said that, I love the album.
In most cases it sounds to me as though Daniel Gildenlow's voice leads the way and shapes the song, whilst the [other] instruments weave and fluctuate around him. I have seen elsewhere Gildenlow mention that they were trying to create the "jam session" sound and I believe that shines through in all the songs.
Whilst this album doesn't contain many sounds similar to previous PoS releases: there are no real solos to speak of, the songs are at a much slower pace, and is generally much less "heavy"; it is in that sense uniquely a PoS release. There is no escaping the diversity and fluctuation that is inherent within there style, not only this but the wide vocal range and emotion of Gildenlow's voice is very distinctive.
Listening to this album you will not be provided with the complexity of PoS's other works, the songs are short (on average) and do not have as many phases as you may have come to expect. But it is a whole-band experience for the entirety of each song and just because their are not as many passages within each song does not mean the talent of each member goes unnoticed.
You will have to go into this album open-minded and, should you have a diverse enough range of tastes, will be pleasantly surprised at yet another turn down another road in the PoS journey.